Your child will be eligible to start Junior Kindergarten the year they are four years old. Your local school may offer a traditional ½ day, or Alternate day, Junior Kindergarten (JK) program or a Full Day Early Learning Program. To find out if your school will be providing the Full Day Early Learning program this fall, check on your school board’s list on the Ministry of Education Website at: www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/fulldaykindergartenschools.asp
For most parents preparing children for school can be a stressful time, and it can be even more so, for parents of a child with special needs. Students with special needs may require additional kinds of support. This can make the entry into school more complex, requiring planning and coordination ahead of time and throughout their school years.
It is important that you become a partner in your child’s education by familiarizing yourself with the special education system. This includes learning how to work effectively with school staff, professionals and community agencies, to get the support your child will need to be successful.
The Ministry of Education has a document called Planning Entry to School: A Resource Guide designed to facilitate the planning process of preparing your child to begin school. The document can be found at the Ministry of Education website at www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/planningentry.html
You can check pages 28-31 for specific information for students with special needs.